Finally, the Republican craziness rears its ugly head somewhere besides Florida and Virginia. This time, it is Washington State Representative, Ed Orcutt (Republican), who’s firing the next shot in the Republican war on science. Orcutt recently argued that bicycling is equally bad for the environment as driving cars, because when we bike, we breathe out CO2. Wow! The craziness is strong in this one.

And here are some folks adding to global warming

As noted at Americablog, “Republicans generally hate cyclists. Since heaven forbid anyone exercise, or use roads in a manner that actually decreases the pollution impact. Cyclists are socialists, you see, and simply must be destroyed.” Orcutt was responding to a question about a tax he wants to impose on bicyclists, and said:

“Also, you claim that it is environmentally friendly to ride a bike. But if I am not mistaken, a cyclist has an increased heart rate and respiration. That means the act of riding a bike results in greater emissions of carbon dioxide from the rider. Since CO2 is deemed to be a greenhouse gas and a pollutant, bicyclists are actually polluting when they ride.”

Scarier still is that Orcutt is the top Republican on the Transportation Committee.

What’s truly sad, as noted in that same article at Americablog is that, “Orcutt isn’t the fringe of the GOP, he is the GOP.”

Chris at Americablog notes the following examples of the GOP divorce from reality:

Or Missouri Republican Rick Brattin – who calls himself “a huge science buff” — who wants to force the redefinition, in law, of the phrase “scientific theory” to include “faith-based philosophy.” So this way, priests could call themselves “scientists,” and creationism would be “science;”

It seems to get worse daily. As commenter noted, “Yes, the GOP has a ‘crazy’ problem, but they have an even more serious one. An “embrace of ignorance” problem. They don’t even bother to try to be rational or present facts to support their positions anymore. They just make up shit and assert that it’s true, even when it’s objectively false and patently ridiculous.”

About Deep Something

This is my place to rant, rave and pontificate about anything that's on my mind. The topics frequently venture towards those never spoken about in polite company such as politics and religion. But, if you're provoked, comments are welcome.

Random Quote

The possibility that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.